Special New Year’s Edition, Issue 1
In this issue of Digi-Tips™, our digital marketing newsletter for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), we provide five essential New Year’s resolutions that businesses often miss.
The (almost) universal problem with SMBs
With extensive experience working with small and midsize businesses (and being one), we know that nearly all small and midsize businesses struggle to focus on their core activities while also keeping an eye on the big picture—their strategy, goals, and growth.
Instead, they focus on day-to-day activities. Soon, another year has elapsed and another.
The new year (and really ANY time of year) is a good time to reflect and plan. Set aside time now and each week to think “bigger.” Here are five resolutions to help you launch a more successful business year.
Resolve to tune up your strategic plan immediately.
Be smart. If you haven’t already reviewed last year’s strategy, start the new year by re-evaluating your 2025 business roadmap.
Don’t know how to get started? We can help you analyze your business’s current state and identify ways to increase revenue in 2026.
Call to book a Spark! Workshop
This year, resolve to work smarter, not harder.
Act smart. Sit down with a pen and paper (or at your computer) and ask yourself these questions:
- What can technology or AI achieve for me?
- What can I stop doing? What am I doing that’s unessential? Or ineffective?
- What’s working? What can I do more of?
- What can I do less of?
- Am I focusing on what matters most at every moment?
- What can I delegate? Or hire out so that I can focus on my core business activities?
Resolve to set S.M.A.R.T. goals.
Do S.M.A.R.T. Goals, that is. After reviewing your successes and opportunities from last year and how you can work smarter, not harder, record your S.M.A.R.T. marketing goals. S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Here’s what could be missing in your S.M.A.R.T. goals
Hint: We find people usually lapse on the “T”—particularly if it’s a BHAG, a big, hairy, audacious goal.
Ask yourself the question, “By when will I achieve this goal?”
If it’s a large goal, break it into smaller, measurable steps. “By when will I achieve Step One? Step Two?” Or, consider delegating or outsourcing the tasks.
Not included in the S.M.A.R.T. acronym? Who. If it’s not you, designate a single person accountable for the goal. Often, this is a “miss” with SMBs we talk to.
It seems that if “everyone” is responsible for a goal, “no one ” is accountable. If “someone” should do it, “no one” does.
Resolve to engage customers with personalized, relevant communications.
Create smart. Spam is in the eye of the beholder. It is irrelevant or impersonal communication. Here are a few examples of spam:
- A 50-year-old bachelor goes to the grocery store and receives coupons for baby formula on his receipt. Not relevant.
- You get a birthday message, but your birthday was 4 months ago. Not personal.
- A stranger texts you out of the blue about a business loan you don’t want. Too much, too soon.
- A competitor company offers you the product you sell—or worse, tells you you need their product, because yours is defective. Not smart.
Instead, potential and current customers expect personalized and relevant experiences.
Every touchpoint is an opportunity to connect and drive greater engagement. We can help you identify those touchpoints. For example, explore how CRMs and automation can help increase conversion rates and revenue.
We can help you. If interested, call us.
Resolve to invest in your martech stack.
A marketing tech stack (or martech stack) is the collection of software tools, platforms, and technologies your company uses to automate workflows, engage customers, and analyze data. Explore the ideal martech stack for small and midsize businesses.
Achieve More in the New Year
Want to offload some of your marketing tasks so you can focus on your core business? Call for a free 30-minute marketing consultation: 847-224-972. Kindly leave a message, as we ignore messages we deem “potential spam.”
Nancy Burgess
